Do I need anti virus software?

Jivejimmy · Jivejimmy #1 (**permalink**)

05-04-2010, 01:40 AM

Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro. No one with physical access to the computer would have or could have sent them. Have I been hijacked? Any help would be appreciated.

harryb2448 · harryb2448 #2 (**permalink**)

05-04-2010, 02:07 AM

There are no MAC OS X viri. Having said that, if you are using Windows through BootCamp or some other program, the partition will need protection and the best free program available is Microsoft Security Essentials.

Safe internet browsing practices is the best defense.

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #3 (**permalink**)

05-04-2010, 05:48 AM

Currently i have been using the Mac for 7 years with no virii protection and never had a problem.
As Harry says - safe surfing does the trick.

toMACsh · toMACsh #4 (**permalink**)

05-04-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jivejimmy

Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro.

Notice from where? How did it arrive? What did it look like? What did it recommend that you do about it?

it could be a false alert designed to sell you something you don't need.

maggen85 · maggen85 #5 (**permalink**)

05-05-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toMACsh

Notice from where? How did it arrive? What did it look like? What did it recommend that you do about it?

it could be a false alert designed to sell you something you don't need.

Agreed - it's highly unlikely that this is a virus, so I wouldn't be terribly worried.

DaFlake · DaFlake #6 (**permalink**)

05-05-2010, 10:25 PM

Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.

malicho · malicho #7 (**permalink**)

05-05-2010, 10:40 PM

my computer gets that alert all the time when i accidentally press the E-mail Fax button on the front of my canon scanner.

blackmac11 · blackmac11 #8 (**permalink**)

05-05-2010, 10:57 PM

don't worry about viruses for the mac, and remember that you and you only are in control. Be smart about what sites you visit and what links you follow. If you can stay away from illegal torrents/scam sites, you'll be golden

toMACsh · toMACsh #9 (**permalink**)

05-06-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFlake

Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.

Um, assume you mean not likely at all.

However, the OP did not indicate if Windows is also installed....

DarkestRitual · DarkestRitual #10 (**permalink**)

05-06-2010, 11:29 AM

Your computer isn't infected if you're running OS X. That's not to say someone hasn't hijacked your email account. Choose better passwords.

anonymous · anonymous #11 (**permalink**)

05-08-2010, 11:31 AM

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

That said, it sounds like your computer has become part of a botnet if it is sending stuff without you telling it to. What exactly is it sending?

Sawday · Sawday #12 (**permalink**)

05-08-2010, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymous

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

And where exactly in that article does it say that there are viruses for Mac OS?

bobtomay · bobtomay #13 (**permalink**)

05-08-2010, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymous

Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X.

I think you should go read that again if you think that article says anything about there being any virii in the wild that can affect OS X.

blackmac11 · blackmac11 #14 (**permalink**)

05-08-2010, 12:20 PM

And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system.

anonymous · anonymous #15 (**permalink**)

05-08-2010, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawday

And where exactly in that article does it say that there are viruses for Mac OS?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

I think you should go read that again if you think that article says anything about there being any virii in the wild that can affect OS X.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackmac11

And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system.

My bad. I meant this. Macs still have a lot more vulnerabilities at any one time than Windows has, typically and the fact that Mac users feel like they are invulnerable means that if you can get the right combination of social engineering and programming you can infect a Mac. Not that it really matters, because I doubt there are as many people who will put in the effort when they can put less effort for Windows. Still something to be aware of if you use a Mac that you should still practice common sense safe browsing habits.

blackmac11 #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 16, 2009 Location: Tecumseh, Ontario Posts: 498 Mac Specs: iMac 20" 2.4 GHz Dual Core 3GB Ram 320GB Hard Drive 10.6.2 :: Ipod Touch 8 GB :: Beastly Gaming PC	05-05-2010, 10:57 PM don't worry about viruses for the mac, and remember that you and you only are in control. Be smart about what sites you visit and what links you follow. If you can stay away from illegal torrents/scam sites, you'll be golden l I’ll keep it short and sweet — Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business. -Monty Burns
	QUOTE Thanks

blackmac11 #14 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 16, 2009 Location: Tecumseh, Ontario Posts: 498 Mac Specs: iMac 20" 2.4 GHz Dual Core 3GB Ram 320GB Hard Drive 10.6.2 :: Ipod Touch 8 GB :: Beastly Gaming PC	05-08-2010, 12:20 PM And there is a difference between getting access to the computer and actually installing something on it. You need to put in a system password if you wish to change anything that can alter the core system. l I’ll keep it short and sweet — Family. Religion. Friendship. These are the three demons you must slay if you wish to succeed in business. -Monty Burns
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
McAffee Anti Virus for Mac	marky_mark	Switcher Hangout	2	07-23-2009 12:08 PM
Anti Virus needed?	Dman77	Switcher Hangout	3	03-14-2008 11:28 AM
anti virus??	akira_mac	OS X - Apps and Games	4	08-10-2007 07:58 PM
virus software advice...?	new_MAC_lover	OS X - Apps and Games	1	09-21-2006 12:13 AM
Anti virus	johnnymacuser	Switcher Hangout	1	10-20-2005 04:50 PM

New To Mac-Forums?

Mac-Forums Brief

Do I need anti virus software?

Hosting and Cloud

Data Centers

Web Development

Performance Marketing

Consumer Tech

Jivejimmy #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 3	05-04-2010, 01:40 AM Recently I received notice that there had been several attempts to send email faxes from my mac book pro. No one with physical access to the computer would have or could have sent them. Have I been hijacked? Any help would be appreciated.
	QUOTE Thanks

harryb2448 #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Nov 28, 2007 Location: Nambucca Heads Australia Posts: 15,217 Mac Specs: iMac i5 2.7GHz OS X.9	05-04-2010, 02:07 AM There are no MAC OS X viri. Having said that, if you are using Windows through BootCamp or some other program, the partition will need protection and the best free program available is Microsoft Security Essentials. Safe internet browsing practices is the best defense.
	QUOTE Thanks

DaFlake #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 02, 2008 Posts: 709	05-05-2010, 10:25 PM Not unlikely at all, it simply isn't a virus.
	QUOTE Thanks

malicho #7 (permalink)
Member Since: May 04, 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 32 Mac Specs: 24in 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo OSX 10.5.8 iMac iPhone 3GS 16GB Apple TV	05-05-2010, 10:40 PM my computer gets that alert all the time when i accidentally press the E-mail Fax button on the front of my canon scanner.
	QUOTE Thanks

DarkestRitual #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 09, 2009 Location: Ithaca NY Posts: 2,073 Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz C2D 4G DDR3, 1.25GHz G4 eMac	05-06-2010, 11:29 AM Your computer isn't infected if you're running OS X. That's not to say someone hasn't hijacked your email account. Choose better passwords.
	QUOTE Thanks

anonymous #11 (permalink)
Member Since: May 08, 2010 Posts: 5	05-08-2010, 11:31 AM Now hold on. I think that a lot of you don't realize that there are viruses for Mac OS X. That said, it sounds like your computer has become part of a botnet if it is sending stuff without you telling it to. What exactly is it sending?
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)